Times.... They Are A-Changing

I loved their honey mustard. 
I frequently enjoyed the waffle fries.  Mix a little mayo with the ketchup and dip away... yes sir.
The chocolate milk shakes?  Man, completely delicious.

Then I stopped eating meat.

I haven't eaten there for over a year.  I've often reflected on the succulent chicken patty... sandwiched between two pieces of smushed yet warm bun, with that nice little sunken indention of the dill pickle slices.  You know, it makes the part of the bun green where it settled?  Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.

So good.  So yummy.

But it's so 365 days ago. 

This was a decision based solely on my own leanings toward vegetarianism.  I have my reasons.  I'll keep them to myself at this time as my vegetarianism is not the purpose of this posting.

As a matter of fact, I'm still trying to figure what the point of this entry actually is. 

It's not news that Chic-Fil-A is making headlines due to the company's stance on gay-marriage.  Just about every location in the Richmond/Tri-Cities area hosted lines upon lines of folks just waiting to sink their teeth into the very same sandwich I was once so fond of. 

And I can't say I blame them.  It's a good sandwich.

A very good sandwich.

And I find that it's a shame, even for this meatless eater, that the sandwich is now shadowed by the perhaps "soured" flavor of it's president's political/religious beliefs.  I mean, it's not the sandwich's fault is it?  And what about the waffle fries?  Should they be punished?

I know it's not about the chicken.  Nor is it about the fact that the very same restaurant is closed on Sundays (which may or may not be for the purpose of religious observation though it's mostly safe to assume that it is). 

I feel the issue we have here is Freedom of Speech, which, without apology, I support 100 %.

It is my opinion that the moment this freedom is questioned/challenged, it is of utmost importance that every American(regardless of political party and personal beliefs) should immediately pull out the picket signs and stand firm.  To threaten this precious freedom would be a sort of regression beyond sexuality and contraception; beyond one's interpretation of "family values" "Christian principles"; beyond religion, race, creed and the like.

It is the oppression of our voice.

Your voice.

My voice.

The distraction, I feel, is in this hubbub... this attention... this energy from either side given to this man's comments.

I get the fear and agitation on either side of this issue.  This is a very personal and private topic for some, a religious issue for others.  But what, pray tell, is really being addressed by this display?  That a company's president chooses to uphold "traditional family values"?  Is this really new? 

Probably not.  As a matter of fact, you probably work with someone who believes completely differently than you.  Your kids play with the children of political polar opposites from you.  Some of these people you actually like, click with, get along with. 

I've been to two PRIDE festivals.  Those within the safe perimeter of the LBGT gathering may not look or act quite as one might think.  If you've never been, go.  Many look normal.  A lot are heterosexual.  Whole straight families with 2.5 children and a dog and cat attend as a show of support and solidarity.  These displays of nuclear family-ism at an "alternative life style" festival would suggest to me that "traditional family values" aren't threatened at all.  Family values can very much be the same, even if they look different. 

Along the outer perimeter typically stands those who picket, using their freedom of speech to articulate (though it's more yelling) their views, typically religious in nature.  But here's the thing... there's no communication.  And that goes for either side.  There is staring; yelling; mocking; and venomous slurs that are tossed back and forth.  There is no real conversation, no attempt at understanding and no interest in building any sort of rapport.

So it would seem very much the same with the debaucle of the tasty chicken sandwich's president.  He has his beliefs.  I have mine.  And as citizens of the same the nation I would also like to think that we could agree to disagree and still dine together at the same table... much like the story of Jesus and his 12 smelly buddies (or "disciples" as they are known in most Christian circles... but let's face it, they were probably a little ripe... which also further supports why they enjoyed the social luxury of wine... yes, I said wine).

Who knows, perhaps it could be in such a setting, maybe even within the very threshold of this corporation's premises, that a conversation could take place? a relationship could begin? and understanding might even ensue? 

Or perhaps standing in line, sandwiched between the very one's who wouldn't be caught dead at your cousin's gay wedding?  That doesn't mean you have to convince them that gay is okay... it simply means that those with varying opinions are, at the very least, still human. 

Very black and white in thinking?  Maybe.

But human. 

I'm not quite sure who needs Jesus more.

Sigh.  If it's a pipe dream then so be it.  I believe in hope and I believe in humanity... even when we continue to treat each other like assholes and claim to always be owners of the "Truth". 

It is my human right to dream this.

And dream it I shall.  If the lion is truly to lay down with the lamb... then for the love of All That Is... someone make the first move.